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independent.co.uk

One-Minute Railcar Inspections Spark Safety Debate

Norfolk Southern's new one-minute railcar inspection rule sparks safety concerns among unions and regulators, raising questions about the adequacy of inspections and the impact of job cuts.

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English

United Kingdom

Labour MarketUkTransportationSafety RegulationsRail SafetyIndustry StandardsLabor Concerns

Norfolk SouthernFederal Railroad AdministrationTransportation Communications Union

Karl AlexyMark GeorgeDavid AroucaHeather Garcia

How have job cuts and the PSR model contributed to the safety concerns?: The implementation of the Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) model and job cuts have contributed to a lack of experienced workers and rushed inspections, increasing safety concerns.
What are the concerns surrounding Norfolk Southern's new inspection policy?: The rule reflects the current industry standard, but unions and safety officials worry that it's too short a time to adequately inspect railcars, leading to missed defects.
What new policy has Norfolk Southern implemented regarding railcar inspections?: Norfolk Southern implemented a new rule limiting railcar inspections to one minute per car, sparking concerns about potential safety risks.
What role has the Federal Railroad Administration played in monitoring this issue?: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is closely monitoring the situation and has found that inspections are often rushed even when inspectors are present.
What are the opposing viewpoints on the impact of the new one-minute inspection rule?: While Norfolk Southern claims the rule helps gauge staffing needs and doesn't disregard safety issues, critics argue that it prioritizes speed over thoroughness and could lead to more accidents.

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